The Complex History Of Iran And Israel: From Covert Allies To Open Enemies
The relationship between Iran and Israel is one of the most volatile and complex geopolitical sagas of our time. Far from being perpetually hostile, the historical narrative of these two nations reveals a surprising past, marked by periods of quiet cooperation and even strategic alliance. However, a dramatic shift occurred, transforming a pragmatic partnership into an overt and deeply entrenched animosity. Understanding the intricate layers of this evolving dynamic is crucial to grasping the current tensions in the Middle East and anticipating future developments. This article delves into the fascinating and often turbulent Iran and Israel history, tracing its trajectory from surprising camaraderie to a declared state of enmity.
From the clandestine intelligence sharing and oil trade of the mid-20th century to the recent volley of missile strikes and drone attacks, the journey of Iran and Israel has been anything but linear. This hostility, as we shall explore, can be traced through several distinct phases: from the establishment of Israel in 1948, the pivotal Iranian Revolution in 1979, and the subsequent developments that have led to the precarious present day. The conflict, once largely relegated to the shadows of proxy warfare, has now escalated into direct confrontations, opening a new, perilous chapter in their long history of conflict.
Table of Contents
- A Surprising Alliance: The Pre-1979 Era
- The Turning Point: Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979
- Escalation in the Shadows: The Post-Gulf War Era
- Proxy Wars and Regional Rivalry
- The Nuclear Dimension: A Growing Threat
- The Maritime Front and Direct Engagements
- The April 2024 Retaliation Cycle
- The Latest Chapter: June 2025 Escalation
- Conclusion
A Surprising Alliance: The Pre-1979 Era
For decades, the narrative of Iran and Israel was remarkably different from what we observe today. Far from being adversaries, these two nations maintained a quiet, pragmatic partnership grounded in shared strategic interests. The relationship was cordial for most of the Cold War, a period often overlooked in contemporary discussions about their animosity.
Shared Interests and Covert Cooperation
From the early 1950s until the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran and Israel found common ground in a turbulent region. At the time, Iran was ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a staunch ally of the United States. This alignment with the West naturally positioned both Iran and Israel against common threats, primarily Arab nationalism and the expansion of Soviet influence in the Middle East. The Shah's government, though publicly cautious, understood the strategic value of an unofficial alliance with Israel. They shared intelligence, often collaborating on security matters that benefited both nations in a region fraught with instability.
This covert cooperation was a testament to realpolitik, where shared geopolitical concerns outweighed ideological differences. Both states felt a degree of isolation in the region, with Iran being a non-Arab, Shia-majority nation surrounded by Sunni Arab states, and Israel being the sole Jewish state. This unique positioning fostered a bond that, while never fully acknowledged openly, was deeply functional.
Economic and Strategic Ties
Beyond intelligence sharing, the economic relationship between pre-revolutionary Iran and Israel was robust and mutually beneficial. Iran exported oil to Israel, a critical resource for the nascent state. Indeed, Iran supplied up to 60% of Israel’s oil through a discreet pipeline, a clear indication of the depth of their economic interdependence. This flow of energy was not just a commercial transaction; it was a strategic lifeline for Israel, ensuring its energy security in a hostile neighborhood.
The ties extended to direct civilian links as well. El Al flights connected Tel Aviv and Tehran, symbolizing a level of normalcy and interaction that is unimaginable today. These flights facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and even tourism, painting a picture of a relationship that, while covert, was far from non-existent. The Iranian Shah had friendly, albeit covert, ties with Israel, and this extended to various sectors, including agricultural and technological cooperation. This era of cooperation highlights a crucial, often forgotten, chapter in the Iran and Israel history, demonstrating that their current enmity is a relatively recent phenomenon, not an immutable historical constant.
The Turning Point: Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979
The year 1979 marked an irreversible rupture in the Iran and Israel history. The Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power, fundamentally reshaped Iran's identity, its foreign policy, and, consequently, its stance towards Israel. This event was the single most significant catalyst in transforming a pragmatic partnership into open hostility.
Ideological Shift and Recognition Denial
The new revolutionary government in Iran adopted a fiercely anti-Western and anti-Zionist ideology. The Shah's alliance with the US and his covert ties with Israel were viewed as symbols of oppression and foreign domination. The Islamic Republic declared its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, positioning itself as a champion of oppressed Muslims worldwide. This ideological shift meant a complete reversal of policy towards Israel. Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state, viewing its existence as an occupation of Muslim lands. This non-recognition became a cornerstone of Iran's foreign policy, a stark contrast to the Shah's era where diplomatic relations, however discreet, were maintained.
The Israeli embassy in Tehran was famously handed over to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) shortly after the revolution, a symbolic gesture that underscored Iran's new direction. This ideological transformation was not merely rhetorical; it laid the groundwork for decades of antagonism, shaping the core of the current Iran and Israel history.
The End of Covert Ties
With the ideological shift came the immediate cessation of all covert ties. The discreet pipeline that once supplied Israel with Iranian oil was shut down. El Al flights between Tel Aviv and Tehran ceased. The intelligence sharing networks dissolved, replaced by suspicion and animosity. The pragmatic partnership, once grounded in shared strategic interests, evaporated overnight, replaced by a deep-seated ideological opposition.
The end of the Cold War further complicated matters, removing the common enemy that had once united them. As the global geopolitical landscape shifted, Iran's new revolutionary government found new allies and new enemies, with Israel firmly placed in the latter category. This dramatic pivot set the stage for the escalating tensions that would define the relationship for the next four decades, marking a definitive end to the era of cooperation in the Iran and Israel history.
Escalation in the Shadows: The Post-Gulf War Era
While the Islamic Revolution initiated the hostility, the period following the Gulf War in 1991 saw the relationship between Iran and Israel become openly hostile. This era was characterized by a gradual escalation, largely through proxy conflicts and a growing strategic rivalry across the Middle East. Iran began to actively support groups hostile to Israel, transforming regional dynamics.
After the Gulf War, the US presence in the region solidified, and Iran, feeling increasingly isolated, intensified its efforts to project power through non-state actors. This strategy directly impacted Israel's security. Iran's support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and various Palestinian factions, including Hamas, became a primary source of tension. These groups, armed and funded by Iran, launched attacks against Israel, effectively turning regional conflicts into proxy battlegrounds between Tehran and Jerusalem. This indirect confrontation allowed both sides to inflict damage without engaging in full-scale conventional warfare, a pattern that would define much of their relationship for years. The complexity of this period in Iran and Israel history lies in understanding the layers of indirect conflict.
Proxy Wars and Regional Rivalry
The concept of proxy warfare became central to the Iran and Israel history in the post-1979 era. Iran, unable or unwilling to directly confront Israel militarily, leveraged its influence and resources to support various non-state actors that shared its anti-Zionist stance. This strategy allowed Iran to challenge Israel's security and regional dominance without triggering a direct, conventional war.
Hezbollah in Lebanon emerged as Iran's most potent proxy. Heavily armed and trained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah became a formidable military and political force on Israel's northern border. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly the 2006 Lebanon War, were widely seen as indirect confrontations between Israel and Iran. Similarly, Iran's support for Palestinian militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad has been a constant source of friction. The October 7, 2023, attack, where Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage, beginning the most intense war between Israel and Hamas, was immediately viewed by Israel as having Iran's fingerprints all over it, further cementing the perception of Iran as the orchestrator of regional instability targeting Israel.
Beyond Lebanon and Gaza, the Syrian civil war became another critical arena for this proxy rivalry. Iran deployed its own forces and supported various militias to bolster the Assad regime, while Israel conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria targeting Iranian assets, weapons shipments, and Hezbollah positions. These strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from establishing a permanent military foothold near Israel's border and transferring advanced weaponry to its proxies. The intricate web of alliances and conflicts in Syria underscores the pervasive nature of the Iran-Israel rivalry, shaping the broader Middle Eastern security landscape and adding complex layers to the Iran and Israel history.
The Nuclear Dimension: A Growing Threat
Perhaps no single issue has fueled the Iran and Israel conflict more intensely than Iran's nuclear program. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, citing Iran's calls for Israel's destruction and its support for militant groups. This concern has driven much of Israel's strategic thinking and covert operations against Iran in recent decades.
Israel has consistently advocated for a robust international effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, often differing with the international community on the best approach. While the P5+1 nations pursued diplomatic solutions like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Israel maintained a skeptical stance, believing that the deal did not sufficiently curb Iran's nuclear ambitions or its regional destabilizing activities. When Trump announced nuclear talks with Iran, Israel's concerns remained high, fearing any deal that might leave Iran with a breakout capability.
In response to what it perceives as an escalating threat, Israel has reportedly engaged in a shadow war, targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, and assassinating key Iranian scientists. Israel has said it targeted nuclear and military facilities, killing Iran’s top military and nuclear scientists, incidents that have been widely attributed to Israeli intelligence agencies. These covert operations aim to delay Iran's nuclear progress and signal Israel's determination to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability. This clandestine struggle over Iran's nuclear program remains a central and highly dangerous component of the ongoing Iran and Israel history, constantly pushing the region to the brink of a wider conflict.
The Maritime Front and Direct Engagements
While proxy wars and covert operations dominated much of the Iran and Israel rivalry, the early 2020s saw a significant expansion of the conflict into new domains, particularly at sea. By the beginning of 2021, Iran and Israel had increasingly begun attacking each other at sea, marking a new phase of direct, albeit still largely undeclared, confrontation.
These maritime attacks involved targeting commercial vessels believed to be linked to the opposing side, often using limpet mines or drones. The incidents, while rarely causing significant casualties, served as a clear message of intent and capability. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, accused Iran of being behind a February explosion on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that highlighted the growing scope of the undeclared war. These attacks demonstrated a willingness by both nations to engage directly in new theaters, moving beyond their traditional proxy battlegrounds.
Furthermore, direct missile exchanges, once unthinkable, have become a more frequent occurrence. While often attributed to "unidentified" sources or occurring in third countries, the underlying tension and the increasing readiness to use direct force became palpable. Iran’s dire economic situation, exacerbated by international sanctions, might also contribute to its willingness to project power and divert attention, adding another layer of complexity to its strategic calculations against Israel. This expansion into the maritime domain and the increased frequency of direct engagements signify a dangerous evolution in the Iran and Israel history, raising the stakes for regional stability.
The April 2024 Retaliation Cycle
The simmering tensions between Iran and Israel erupted into an unprecedented direct exchange of fire in April 2024, marking a dramatic shift from shadow warfare to open confrontation. This cycle of retaliation began with a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed two top Iranian military commanders and at least 10 other people. This attack, targeting high-ranking IRGC officials, was a significant escalation, crossing a previously unbreached red line for Iran.
Iran vowed a direct response, breaking with its long-standing policy of using proxies. On April 13, Iran responded to the Damascus airstrike by launching a nighttime attack on Israel with 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and 170 drones. While most of the barrage was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome and allied defenses, the sheer scale and directness of the attack were unprecedented. It demonstrated Iran's capability to project power directly onto Israeli territory, albeit with limited success in terms of damage.
Israel, in turn, retaliated. While details remained murky, reports indicated an Israeli strike inside Iran. Israel targeted Iran's defence ministry hours after Iranian missiles breached Iron Dome to hit crucial sites in central Tel Aviv, though the extent of the damage was debated. This tit-for-tat exchange highlighted the perilous nature of the current Iran and Israel history, demonstrating a willingness by both sides to engage directly and risk a wider conflict. The world watched with bated breath as the two adversaries teetered on the brink of full-scale war, a testament to the escalating danger of their long-standing animosity.
The Latest Chapter: June 2025 Escalation
The conflict between Iran and Israel, once relegated to the shadows, has escalated yet again, opening a new chapter in their long history of conflict. The most recent significant development, according to available data, occurred on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched a major attack with airstrikes early Friday, setting off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran. This direct assault on the Iranian capital marked a significant escalation, indicating a deepening of the direct confrontation that began to emerge more clearly in April 2024.
Reports indicated that on June 13, explosions rocked Tehran as Israel carried out a major attack on Iran’s nuclear program. This suggests a continued focus by Israel on Iran's nuclear capabilities, which it views as an existential threat. The targeting of nuclear facilities, even if symbolic or limited in scope, sends a powerful message about Israel's resolve to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This direct strike inside Iran, particularly on sensitive sites, signifies a new level of audacity and risk-taking by Israel, moving beyond the previous pattern of targeting Iranian assets in third countries or engaging in more clandestine operations.
This latest escalation underscores the volatile nature of the Iran and Israel relationship. Iran has vowed not to stop as Israel warned, saying Tehran will burn, indicating a cycle of threats and counter-threats that continues to spiral. The directness of these recent attacks, both from Iran against Israel and vice versa, suggests that the rules of engagement are shifting, with both sides increasingly willing to bypass proxies and engage in direct military action. The implications of such direct confrontations are profound, carrying the risk of a regional conflagration that could draw in other global powers. This ongoing escalation solidifies the current phase of the Iran and Israel history as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable periods yet.
Conclusion
The history of Iran and Israel is a compelling narrative of transformation, from a surprising, albeit covert, alliance to an open and deeply entrenched animosity. What began as a pragmatic partnership rooted in shared strategic interests under the Shah's rule dramatically shifted with the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ushered in an era of ideological opposition and non-recognition. This fundamental change laid the groundwork for decades of shadow wars, proxy conflicts, and a dangerous nuclear standoff.
From the support of regional militant groups to the increasingly frequent direct exchanges of fire, including maritime attacks and unprecedented missile barrages, the conflict has steadily escalated. The events of April 2024 and the reported strikes in June 2025 signify a perilous new chapter, where direct military confrontation between these two regional powers is no longer an unthinkable scenario but a stark reality. Understanding this complex Iran and Israel history is essential for comprehending the current geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and the potential pathways to either de-escalation or further conflict.
The future of the Iran and Israel relationship remains uncertain, fraught with risks and the potential for wider regional destabilization. As we navigate these turbulent times, staying informed about the historical context and ongoing developments is more crucial than ever. What are your thoughts on the evolution of this relationship? Share your perspectives in the comments below, or explore our other articles to deepen your understanding of global affairs.
Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint
Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint
Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint
